India's urban population will soar in 10 years, with more than 600 million people living in cities within a decade, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath said Monday.
"In the next 10 years, more than 600 million people will live in Indian cities. More than 53 cities have populations of over one million, and will grow 60 times in these 10 years," Kamal Nath said.
The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development's 7th annual event 'Sustainable and Inclusive Solutions: Summit and Exhibition'.
He said 70 percent of new jobs would be created in and around cities.
India's urban population grew from 27.8 percent in 2001 to 31.16 percent in 2011, according to information provided to parliament.
And a UN report said in April that India will witness the largest increase in urban population in the next four decades. Indian cities will add another 497 million people between 2010 and 2050.
Kamal Nath added that India was committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth despite challenging economic conditions.